History

This Week in New Brunswick History” (April 12–19)

Here’s a “This Week in New Brunswick History” (April 12–19) summary with notable events that happened on each day:

📅 April 12

  • 1751 – French governor orders Acadians to swear loyalty to France.
  • 1855 – New Brunswick becomes the first in British North America to use the secret ballot in elections.
  • 1867 – Funding approved for the Intercolonial Railway, linking the Maritimes to central Canada.

📅 April 13

  • 1844 – Victoria County is created.
  • 1859 – King’s College becomes the University of New Brunswick, open to all religions.
  • 1866 – Fenian raiders land near St. Stephen but are driven off.

📅 April 14

  • 1866 – Fenian invasion at Indian Island (near Campobello), later stopped by U.S. forces.
  • 1873 – Madawaska County is established.
  • 1912 – The Titanic strikes an iceberg off Newfoundland (closely tied to regional history).

📅 April 15

  • 1861 – Famous poet Bliss Carman is born in Fredericton.
  • 1890 – Pierre-Amand Landry becomes the first Acadian judge.
  • 1919 – Women gain the right to vote in New Brunswick.

📅 April 16

  • 1764 – First permanent English settlers arrive at Portland Point (now Saint John).
  • 1891 – The province abolishes its Legislative Council (upper house).
  • 1916 – Major civil rights protest in Saint John against a racist film.

📅 April 17

  • 1851 – The famous ship Marco Polo is launched in Saint John (fastest ship of its time).
  • 1889 – The cities of Saint John and Portland merge.

📅 April 18

  • 1866 – Political shift pushes New Brunswick closer to joining Canadian Confederation.

📅 April 19

  • 1750 – Acadians request permission to leave the region (refused).
  • 1931 – Statue of Evangeline unveiled in Louisiana, commemorating Acadian deportation.

✅ Overall themes this week:

  • Early settlement and Acadian history
  • Conflicts like the Fenian raids
  • Growth of democracy (secret ballot, women voting)
  • Major cultural milestones (UNB, poetry, shipbuilding)